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The United States on Wednesday renewed attacks against Iran, with President Donald Trump vowing to "hit them hard" after negotiations on ending the more than three-month war floundered.

The World Cup isn't only about soccer: FIFA is drawing on music stars to elevate the competition into a global cultural event, broadening its reach beyond sports fans.

Police used water cannon late Wednesday to disperse small crowds who had gathered for a second night in Northern Ireland as UK authorities blamed far-right activists for stoking anger on social media following a brutal Belfast stabbing.

Brazil star Raphinha intends to repay the faith shown in him by new coach Carlo Ancelotti at the World Cup after frequently proving to be the nemesis of the Italian during past encounters at club level.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday brushed off consumer inflation surging to a fresh three-year-high in May, with soaring energy prices caused by his war in Iran posing a key challenge to Republicans ahead of midterm elections.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino brushed off criticism over World Cup visa issues and sky-high ticket prices on Wednesday in a defiant eve-of-tournament press conference.

American 17-year-old Cooper Lutkenhaus edged to a second Diamond League 800m win in Oslo on Wednesday, while Letsile Tebogo stormed to victory in a 200m field which included Australian sensation Gout Gout.

French pop icon Patrick Bruel was charged with rape and sexual assault on Wednesday, after nearly two dozen women came forward to make allegations against him, some dating back to the 1990s.

FIFA chief Gianni Infantino said on Wednesday it would have been "impossible" to organise the World Cup in the United States without US President Donald Trump.

Two days before the United States' first World Cup game, coach Mauricio Pochettino only took questions from one intrepid reporter -- and it was Sesame Street's Grover.

Global stock markets mostly fell on Wednesday as fresh strikes in the Middle East, a jump in US inflation and a tech sell-off weighed on sentiment.

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday blessed a giant new tower at Barcelona's famed Sagrada Familia Basilica after celebrating mass inside what is now the world's tallest church.

Cape Town has been added to the prestigious World Marathon Majors, the elite series said on Wednesday, making it the first African race in the circuit.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited the US military base at Guantanamo Bay on Wednesday, warning the communist-led island of Cuba against acquiring weapons that could threaten the United States.

Climate change-fuelled landslides wiped out nearly one in ten of the world's rarest great ape species on Indonesia's Sumatra island, scientists said Wednesday.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday described as "unfortunate" the case of Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States.

England's final World Cup warm-up friendly against Costa Rica was delayed on Wednesday after a heavy thunderstorm hit Orlando.

The moment Bosnia-Herzegovina eliminated Italy and sealed their place at the 2026 World Cup, emotions at a Toronto mosque turned from tense to euphoric, said Anes Dzumhur, program manager at the city's Bosnian Islamic Association.

Marcos Senesi has joined Tottenham Hotspur as Roberto De Zerbi looks to rebuild the Premier League strugglers' shaky defence.

President Donald Trump said the United States would launch fresh attacks on Iran on Wednesday, accusing Tehran's peace negotiators of "playing us for suckers."

Haiti have been forced to change their kit design just days before their World Cup opener against Scotland after FIFA banned a depiction of a war scene on the shirts.

British clothing group Frasers announced Wednesday a nearly two-billion-euro ($2.3 billion) offer to acquire outstanding shares in German men's premium apparel firm Hugo Boss.

Hong Kong filed manslaughter charges against several people and companies on Wednesday over the world's deadliest residential building fire in decades, which killed 168 people at a public housing estate last year.

Kieran McKenna is to step down as manager of Ipswich Town, just weeks after overseeing the club's return to the Premier League.

Pope Leo XIV arrived Wednesday at Barcelona's famed Sagrada Familia Basilica to bless its giant new tower and celebrate mass inside what is now the world's tallest church.

Serena Williams's long-awaited return to competitive tennis was left in the balance Wednesday after doubles partner Victoria Mboko was forced to retire in her opening singles match during the WTA tour event at Queen's Club.

FIFA has issued World Cup accreditation to French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who has been detained in Algeria for a year, Reporters Without Borders told AFP on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump announced plans Wednesday to attend the World Cup, as the global football tournament prepares to kick off.

Lamine Yamal is desperate to return from injury to leave a mark on "his World Cup" said Spain's technical director Aitor Karanka said on Wednesday.

Brazil players gave coach Carlo Ancelotti a guard of honour for his birthday at a pre-World Cup training session Wednesday attended by Spike Lee.

Haiti's achievement in qualifying for the World Cup amid ongoing turmoil in the Caribbean nation is one of the most inspiring stories of this year's tournament, and the team are now hoping to make a real impact in the United States as they prepare for their opening game.

President Donald Trump warned on Wednesday that he would renew US attacks on Iran, saying Tehran had taken too long to agree a deal to end the Middle East war and accusing its negotiators of "playing us for suckers."